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What’s Stopping You From Running the Race?

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What’s Stopping You From Running the Race?

What’s Stopping You From Running the Race?

*Repost: Originally posted 5/12/2015

Do you ever have those weeks where you just feel like you’re running a race?  OK…so I’m going to be completely honest with you and tell you that what I had originally intended to post this week isn’t completely finished yet.  We have definitely been “running the race” in our household lately!  It has been pretty busy with the end of school nearing for my kids including all of their end-of-the-year activities.  College finals were this past week for both my husband, Eric (taking his—FOR THE VERY LAST TIME!!!) and for me (giving finals and getting my course grades finished up and posted).

We also had my sister-in-law’s graduation for her Master’s degree, along with an array of other goings-on…baseball (when it wasn’t raining), church meetings, my niece’s band concert, a teacher conference, and a birthday party which included a full-blown panic attack and angry momma-bear incident by me when my son fell off of a platform without railing head-first while playing at a local paintball complex.  Thankfully, my son is fine and was obviously protected by angels because he could have easily broken his neck the way he fell.

On a positive note though, we have been super excited to be preparing for Eric’s graduation this week!  WOOT WOOT ERIC!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  I don’t know who is more excited…me or Eric?  His degree has been 11 years in the making (due to only being able to take 2 classes at a time while working full-time and supporting a family), so he’s been running the race for quite some time now in that arena.  He’s worked really hard for it, so he is probably a little more excited than I am. 🙂

A reminder about our races

Then, with Mother’s Day this past weekend, “running the race” seems like an understatement.  I’m sure many of you can empathize with all of the busyness of this time of year.  Instead of trying to rush and finish my original post, I decided to pull something that I wrote several years back.  That’s the benefit of writing things down and saving them for a rainy day (quite literally here in Oklahoma lately).  It actually seemed to suit the occasion quite well too because I had entitled it “Running the Race”.

In honor of Eric running the race and finishing up to move on to another, and in honor of all of YOU who are also running the race in a variety of ways, here is a reminder that I had about running the race… Continue reading →

Dealing With Those Who Have Been Deceived

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Dealing With Those Who Have Been Deceived

Last week we discussed that as we near the coming of Christ and the end times, we are going to see an increase in people who are being deceived or are believing lies…either from other people, from Satan, or from their own personal desires. Deception is becoming more and more prevalent these days and will continue to do so according to scripture.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

Unfortunately, we even see deception taking hold of our family members, friends, or other people in our sphere of influence. It’s very hard to see someone we love or care about being deceived and believing lies. It’s especially difficult when they seem so far gone and are not receptive to hearing or discussing the truth.

There is a proper way to engage with or deal with people in the midst of deception. Unfortunately, our initial reaction or human nature is not typically the best way. It will take some intentionality and purpose to interact in a God-honoring, productive, and helpful way. Regrettably, I have not done this very well lately, hence my purpose in writing this post…to resolve to do better and help others do the same.

Take Some Practical Steps When Dealing With Those Who Have Been Deceived:

First, pray for God to help you when engaging or interacting with those being deceived.

It’s tempting to get irritated or angry and sometimes even feel shocked, surprised, and dumbfounded. You may need God’s help to get out of your own emotions before you can deal appropriately with someone being deceived. You might need to ask God to soften your heart first. Then, ask God to help you have his perspective and to see them and the situation as he does. Pray that God would give you the right words to speak only when necessary and to help you stay quiet when necessary. (Refer to this link for other helpful scriptures on knowing what to say.)

“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

For I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!” Luke 21:15 (NLT)

“…don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.” Matthew 10:19b (NLT)

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” Proverbs 13:3 (NLT)

Next, listen before responding.

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Prayer for Those Who Are Being Deceived

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Prayer for Those Who Are Being Deceived

Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where Satan is amping up his activity in order to deceive people. He knows his time of an end is drawing near. The Bible is VERY clear about the rise and increase of false prophets and deception as we near the coming of Christ and the end times. We need to expect that there WILL BE those attempting to deceive us (and some even doing so in the name of and purportedly for the cause of Christ).

Some deception also comes, not just from other people, but from Satan or evil spirits attacking our minds and thought life with lies. Many people also start to believe things contrary to scripture, Biblical teaching, and godly living simply because of their own desires. They simply don’t want to believe the truth.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

As the time of Christ’s return nears, deception will increase. It will come from others, from evil spiritual forces, and from within ourselves and our own desires.

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When those we care about are being deceived

It’s very hard to see someone you love or care about being deceived and believing lies. It’s especially difficult when they seem so far gone and are not receptive to hearing or discussing the truth. All is not hopeless or lost though!  We can pray for them because our prayers are extremely powerful!

“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16b (NLT) 

After studying and researching how and what to pray for those who are being deceived or believing lies, I compiled a list of things to pray followed by scriptures that these prayers are based upon. You can pray these items in part, or I’ve also combined them as a collective prayer at the bottom of this post (with an image to save, pin, or print).

Pray for those who are deceived because your prayers are powerful, effective, and will produce results!

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Take Some Practical Steps to Pray for Those Who Are Being Deceived:

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How to Use Our Spiritual Authority Against the Enemy

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How to Use Our Spiritual Authority Against the Enemy

Recently I wrote on authority. We discussed the importance of knowing we have God-given authority which is backed by God’s power, and we also hit on the importance of using that authority instead of sitting idly by waiting for God to move. I think so many Christians don’t realize the power that we have available to us and through us because of Jesus. In that previous post we talked about the history, foundation, and basis of our authority. This week I’d like to go a little further into what it looks like to build our confidence and practically use that spiritual authority, especially in situations of spiritual warfare or attacks from the enemy.

As a quick recap…

God owns the earth (Psalm 24:1). When God created humans, he gave us spiritual authority to act as his stewards (Genesis 1:26-28, Hebrews 2:5-8). Then Adam sinned and passed that authority over to Satan (Luke 4:6, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 John 5:19, Ephesians 2:2). Later, Jesus came and restored that authority (Matthew 28:18, Romans 5:17-21, Colossians 1:20). Then, Jesus transferred this authority back to his followers (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 10:19, John 20:21-22, Acts 1:8, Luke 24:47).

As the body of Christ, we have authority to do the works of Jesus in the world today. It is our responsibility to resist and stand against the enemy.

“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” Luke 10:19 (NLT)

“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Mark 16:17-18 (NLT)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)

Remind them of who they are

When praying about this post I believe I heard God say, “Remind them of who they are.” In order to start confidently using our God-given spiritual authority against the enemy, we need to know that we are God’s children, and that we have the one true and only God on our side to back us up and empower us. Additionally, we need to know that God has already promised us victory.

We are children and heirs of God himself!

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